Banjo or Freakout
by Banjo or Freakout
Metascore
64

Generally favorable reviews - based on 10 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 4 out of 10
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 10
  3. Negative: 0 out of 10
Buy Now
Buy on
  1. Drowned In Sound
    Feb 22, 2011
    80
    A top-heavy track-listing does the album's more abstract curios no favours, and some will find it too much to take in in one sitting. But for me, headphones donned and lights extinguished, each submersion is every bit as worthy as the last.
  2. Clash Music
    Feb 22, 2011
    80
    A dizzyingly ferocious support slot on the recent Gold Panda tour proved that London-based producer/remixer Alessio Natalizia's one-time bedroom project is now fully-formed.
  3. AllMusic
    Feb 23, 2011
    70
    He definitely deserves credit for going beyond the usual sounds you might hear on a modern singer/songwriter album and it works often enough to make the record a treat for anyone who wants something confessional and real but not boring.
  5. New Musical Express (NME)
    Feb 22, 2011
    70
    Banjo Or Freakout effortlessly mates electronic distortions, low-end theory and achingly gorgeous pop melody – with emphasis very much on the latter.

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
8.3

Universal acclaim- based on 4 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 3 out of 4
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 4
  3. Negative: 0 out of 4
  1. markbow
    Jul 17, 2012
    9
    This review contains spoilers, click full review link to view. Absolutely LOVE this album. I think because of the production it needs a few listens to be fully understood. It's just lovely. To me these songs sound like some little small pop songs hidden underneath layers of noise. Just love it!… Full Review »
  2. leumas
    Feb 23, 2011
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click full review link to view. I was very disappointed with the pitchfork review. It talks about the album like an ambient one and I think that's completely wrong. I also found weird the fact that the reviewer mentioned Panda Bear and Atlas Sound as inspiration points but didn't mention Spacemen 3, Can and Arthur Russell which to me seem closer to what Banjo Or Freakout are doing. There are obvious reference points but the sense of melody and exploration are all Banjo Or Freakout. I'll give it a 10!… Full Review »
See all user reviews »